Systems within a communication device for evaluating movement of a body and methods of operating the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention introduces systems, as well as methods of operating such systems, within a communication device for evaluating movement of a body relative to an environment. According to an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a sensor and a processor. The sensor, which is associable with the body, is operable to repeatedly sense accelerative phenomena of the body. The processor, which is associated with the sensor, is operable to process the sensed accelerative phenomena as a function of at least one accelerative event characteristic. The system, and, more particularly, the processor generates state indicia relative the environment, and determines whether the evaluated body movement is within environmental tolerance. In a preferred embodiment, the processor communicates various state indicia to a monitoring controller, preferably using at least one of a wired network and a wireless network. The monitoring controller cooperates with the processor to remotely monitor the body.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is a continuation in part of co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/396,991 filed Sep. 15, 1999 byLehrman et al. entitled “Systems For Evaluating Movement of A Body andMethods of Operating The Same.” The present invention is related to thatdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/542,197 filed Apr. 4,2000 by Halleck et al. entitled “Apparatus and Method for Detecting AnInclination of A Body.” Both of the related patent applications arecommonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Thedisclosures of both of the related patent applications are herebyincorporated by reference in the present application as if fully setforth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to means for detectingbody movement, and, more particularly, relates to systems, and methodsof operation thereof, within a communication device for evaluatingmovement of a body relative to an environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Methods for determining specific movements of a body that use avariety of devices, apparatus and systems are, generally speaking,known. The term “body” is defined broadly hereafter and includes bothorganic and inorganic objects.

[0004] In point of fact, many methods are known for sensing bodymovement, or non-movement (i.e., sensed dynamic accelerations, includingcessation of movement), as well as, for sensing body movement over time,which is commonly used to determine comparative levels of activity of amonitored body (See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,110,741, 4,292,630, 5,045,839, and5,523,742). These methodologies, however, merely report various levelsof body activity, and, simply stated, fail to recognize possible causesfor any increased or decreased level of body activity.

[0005] In contrast, other methodologies have developed over time for thedetection of falls (See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,829,285, 5,477,211,5,554,975, and 5,751,214). These methodologies are largely based uponthe utilization of one or more mechanical switches (e.g., mercuryswitches) that determine when a body has attained a horizontal position.These methods however fail to discern “normal,” or acceptable, changesin levels of body activity. Stated another way, the foregoing falldetection methodologies provide no position change analysis and,therefore, cannot determine whether a change in position, once attained,is acceptable or unacceptable.

[0006] Various training methods have been conceived for sensing relativetilt of a body (See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,300,921 and 5,430,435), and somesuch methodologies have employed two-axis accelerometers. The output ofthese devices, however, have reported only static acceleration of thebody (i.e., the position of a body relative to earth within broadlimits). It should be appreciated that static acceleration, or gravity,is not the same as a lack of dynamic acceleration (i.e., vibration, bodymovement, and the like), but is instead a gauge of position. Whileaccelerometers that measure both static and dynamic acceleration areknown, their primary use has heretofore been substantially confined toapplications directed to measuring one or the other, but not both.

[0007] Thus, it may be seen that the various conventional detectors fallinto one of two varieties, those that gauge movement of the body andthose that gauge a body's position by various means, with neither typecapable of evaluating body movement to determine whether the same isnormal or abnormal; and if abnormal, whether such movement is soabnormal to be beyond tolerance, for instance, to be damaging,destructive, crippling, harmful, injurious, or otherwise alarming or,possibly, distressing to the body. None of the methodologies heretoforeknown have provided a suitable means to evaluate body movement over timeand to determine whether such movement is tolerable. Further improvementcould thus be utilized.

[0008] The general use of communication devices has greatly increasedover the last few years. Communication devices comprise cellulartelephones, personal digital assistants, hand held computers, laptops,computers, wireless Internet access devices, and other similar types ofcommunications equipment. The number of such communication devices inuse is steadily increasing.

[0009] It would be very useful to have a communications device that iscapable of evaluating movement of a body relative to an environment. Forexample, when a communications device detects a body movement thatsignifies the occurrence of a potentially dangerous event (e.g., afall), the communication device can immediately send an alarm to callfor assistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] To address the above-introduced deficiencies of the prior art,the present invention introduces systems, as well as methods ofoperating such systems, within a communication device for evaluatingmovement of a body relative to an environment. For the purposes hereof,the term “body” is defined broadly, meaning any organic or inorganicobject whose movement or position may suitably be evaluated relative itsenvironment in accordance with the principles hereof; and where the term“environment” is defined broadly as the conditions and the influencesthat determine the behavior of the physical system in which the body islocated. The term “communication device” is defined broadly to include,without limitation, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants,hand held computers, laptops, computers, wireless Internet accessdevices, and other similar types of communications equipment.

[0011] An advantageous embodiment of a system that evaluates movement ofa body relative to an environment in accordance herewith includes both asensor and a processor. In operation, the sensor is associated with thebody and operates to repeatedly sense accelerative phenomena of thebody. The processor, which is associated with the sensor, processes thesensed accelerative phenomena as a function of at least one accelerativeevent characteristic to determine whether the evaluated body movement iswithin environmental tolerance. The processor also preferably generatesstate indicia while processing the sensed accelerative phenomena, whichrepresents the state of the body within the environment over time.

[0012] For the purposes hereof, the term “sensor” is defined broadly,meaning a device that senses one or more absolute values, changes invalue, or some combination of the same, of at least the sensedaccelerative phenomena. According to a preferred embodiment, describedin detail hereafter, the sensor may be a plural-axis sensor that sensesaccelerative phenomena and generates an output signal to the processorindicative of measurements of both dynamic and static acceleration ofthe body in plural axes.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the processor receives andprocesses the output signal. The processor is preferably programmed todistinguish between normal and abnormal accelerative events, and, whenan abnormal event is identified, to indicate whether the abnormal eventis tolerable, or within tolerance. In further embodiments, the processormay be programmed to distinguish other physical characteristics,including temperature, pressure, force, sound, light, relative position,and the like.

[0014] It should be noted that the relevant environment may bestatically or dynamically represented. The sophistication of any suchrepresentation may be as complex or as uncomplicated as needed by agiven application (e.g., disability, injury, infirmity, relativeposition, or other organic assistance monitoring; cargo or othertransport monitoring; military, paramilitary, or other tactical maneuvermonitoring; etc.). It should further be noted that any representationmay initially be set to, or reset to, a default, including, forinstance, a physically empty space, or vacuum.

[0015] Regardless, the principles of the preferred exemplary embodimentdiscussed heretofore require at least one accelerative eventcharacteristic to be represented to enable the processor to determinewhether the evaluated body movement is within environmental tolerance,which is again advantageously based upon both dynamic and staticacceleration measurements.

[0016] According to a related embodiment, the processor is furtheroperable, in response to processing the sensed accelerative phenomena,to generate state indicia, which includes tolerance indicia, generatedin response to determining whether the evaluated body movement is withinenvironmental tolerance. Preferably, such tolerance indicia is comparedwith at least one threshold, likely associated with the accelerativeevent characteristic. In response to such comparison, the processorcontrols a suitable indicating means to initiate an alarm event; tocommunicate such tolerance indicia to a monitoring controller; togenerate statistics; or the like.

[0017] According to a related preferred embodiment, the system may beassociated with other components or sensing systems. For instance, in anassistance monitoring application, the sensor may repeatedly sensedynamic and static acceleration of the body in the plural axes andgenerate output signals indicative of the measurements. The processorcontinuously processes the output signals to distinguish betweenselected accelerative and non-selected accelerative events (described indetail hereafter) based upon both the dynamic and the staticacceleration of the body, and generates state indicia, includingtolerance indicia, that is communicated to a remote monitoringcontroller. The tolerance indicia is communicated to the monitoringcontroller for record keeping/statistical purposes, as well as toprovide “live” monitoring of the individual subscriber.

[0018] Communication between the processor and the controller may be bya wireless network, a wired network, or some suitable combination of thesame, and may include the Internet. Preferably, the system generates analert whenever the monitored subscriber is in “jeopardy,” as determinedby the system, such as in response to a debilitating fall by thesubscriber. In a further embodiment, the processor is operable torepeatedly generate “heartbeat” indicia that indicates that the systemis in an operable state, whereby absence of the same informs themonitoring controller that some other part of the system ismalfunctioning.

[0019] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the sensorand the processor may both be located within a communications device.The communications device may communicate by a wireless network, a wirednetwork, or some suitable combination of the same, and may include theInternet.

[0020] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features andtechnical advantages of the present invention so that those skilled inthe art may better understand the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONthat follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention willbe described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of theinvention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they mayreadily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basisfor modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should alsorealize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spiritand scope of the invention in its broadest form.

[0021] Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, itmay be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and“comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion withoutlimitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases“associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivativesthereof, and the term “associable” may mean to include, be includedwithin, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to orwith, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with,interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, havea property of, or the like; and the terms “controller” and “processor”mean any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware orsoftware, or some suitable combination of at least two of the same. Itshould be noted that the functionality associated with any particularcontroller/processor may be centralized or distributed, whether locallyor remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are providedthroughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the artshould understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitionsapply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words andphrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, andthe advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like numbers designate like objects, and in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment ofa system that evaluates body movement in accordance with the principlesof the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the exemplary system setforth with respect to FIG. 1;

[0025]FIGS. 3a to 3 d illustrate exemplary strip chart records of outputof the sensor introduced in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken during illustrativesituations;

[0026]FIG. 4 illustrates an operational flow diagram of an exemplarymethod of programming a processor in accordance with a fall detectionapplication of the principles of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram of an alternatesensing system that may suitably be associated with the processor of thepresent invention;.

[0028]FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary remotereceiver unit of the system of this invention;

[0029]FIG. 7 illustrates a functional block diagram of the exemplaryreceiver unit of FIG. 6;

[0030]FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary wireless network that isassociated via a wired network, such as the Internet, to a remotemonitoring controller according to one embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0031]FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary communications device thatcontains an exemplary embodiment of the system of the present inventionfor evaluating body movement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Turning initially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an isometricview of an exemplary embodiment of a system (generally designated 11)that evaluates body movement in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention, and more particularly that measures and distinguishesselected accelerative events of a body (not shown). As used in thisdisclosure, the phrases “accelerative events” or “accelerativephenomena” are defined as occurrences of change in velocity of the body(or acceleration), whether in magnitude, direction or both.

[0033] System 11 includes circuit boards 13 and 15 (connected boards atright angles to one another) that are associated with a housing(generally designated 17) utilizing known mounting techniques. Exemplaryhousing 17 (and system 11, for that matter), when assembled, isapproximately one centimeter thick and is approximately five centimetersacross in any direction.

[0034] Housing 17 may comprise, for example, exemplary housing halves 19and 21 that encase boards 13 and 15, although those skilled in the artwill understand that any configuration suitable for a particularimplementation of the invention may be arranged.

[0035] Exemplary rear half 21, is provided with a clip 23 forassociating system 11 with the body (e.g., people, animals, objects ofvarious sorts, etc.). Exemplary clip 23 is shown as a mechanicalspring-type clip, but could be any known attachment device or system,including either mechanical or chemical attachment systems, or any othersuitable means for associating system 11 with the body.

[0036] System 11 includes a processor (shown in FIG. 2) and a sensor 25.Exemplary sensor 25 operates to sense accelerative phenomena of thebody, and is mounted on circuit board 13 with x and y axes 27 and 29,respectively, oriented thereat (though other orientations could beutilized).

[0037] Sensor 25 is illustratively shown as a plural-axis (dual shown)acceleration measuring device suitably mounted on a single monolithicintegrated circuit (one conventional sensor is an accelerometeravailable from ANALOG DEVICES, INC., located at One Technology Way,Norwood, Mass., United States of America, namely, Model No. ADXL202).Sensor 25 includes polysilicon surface-micromachined sensor layer 31built on top of silicon wafer 33. Polysilicon springs 35 resilientlysuspend sensor layer 31 over the surface of wafer 33 providingresistance against acceleration forces. Deflection of the sensor layeris measured using a differential capacitor formed by independent fixedand central plates, the fixed plates driven by 180° out of phase squarewaves having amplitude proportional to acceleration. Signal outputs fromeach axis of sensor 25 are conditioned (i.e., phase sensitivedemodulation and low pass filtering) and presented at analog outputnodes. While not utilized in the primary advantageous embodiment of thisinvention, the ANALOG DEVICES' accelerometer is operable to convert theanalog signals to duty cycle modulated (“DCM”) signals at a DCM stageproviding digital output signals capable of being directly counted at aprocessor.

[0038] While techniques for reconstructing analog signals from thedigital output signals may suitably be utilized (e.g., passing the dutycycle signals though an RC filter), thereby allowing use of the digitalsignal output of a sensor of system 11 hereof, use of the analog signaloutputs has been found advantageous due to the increased bandwidthavailability (0.01 Hz to 5 kHz, adjustable at capacitors at the outputnodes to bandlimit the nodes implementing low-pass filtering forantialiasing and noise reduction), and the measuring sensitivity thatmay be attained. A typical noise floor of five hundred micro “g” perHertz (500×10⁻⁶ “g”/Hz) is achieved, thereby allowing signals below fivemilli “g” (5×10⁻³ “μg”) to be resolved for bandwidths below 60 Hz. Thevalue “g” is the acceleration of gravity at the surface of the earth (32feet/sec² or 9.8 m/sec²).

[0039] According to the illustrated embodiment, sensor 25 generatesanalog output voltage signals corresponding to measurements in the x andy axes, which include both an ac voltage component proportional to Gforces (i.e., dynamic acceleration component related to vibrations ofsensor layer 31) and a dc voltage component proportional to an anglerelative to earth (i.e., static acceleration component related togravity). This open loop acceleration measurement architecture, capableof measuring both static and dynamic acceleration, can thus be utilizedto determine position of a body by measuring both the x and y outputvoltages simultaneously, as well as measure forces of impact experiencedby a body. This information comprises state indicia, and utilizing bothsignal components from both outputs, the sensed accelerative phenomenaof the body may subsequently be processed to distinguish a variety ofaccelerative phenomena and, ultimately, to selectively act based on thedistinctions, as is described in detail hereafter to determine whetherthe evaluated body movement is normal or abnormal, and, if abnormal,whether the same is within tolerance.

[0040] It is noted that the foregoing embodiment has been introduced forillustrative purposes only. In alternate embodiments, any sensor that iscapable of sensing accelerative phenomena relative to a body may be usedin lieu of, or even in conjunction with, sensor 25. Further, alternateorientations of sensor 25 may be used for different applications.

[0041] Turning next to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a block diagram ofthe exemplary system of FIG. 1, which includes processing circuitry 39,indicating means 41, power supply 67, and a switch 68, along with sensor25.

[0042] Exemplary processing circuitry 39 illustratively includes aprocessor 47 and buffer amplifiers 43 and 45 that buffer the analog xand y outputs from sensor 25. Exemplary processor 47, which isassociated with sensor 25, is capable of processing the sensedaccelerative phenomena as a function of at least one accelerative eventcharacteristic to thereby determine whether an evaluated body movementis within environmental tolerance. Processor 47 also preferablygenerates state indicia while processing the sensed accelerativephenomena, which may represent the state of the body within theenvironment over time. Processor 47 is associated with a crystaloscillator/clock 49, switch (DIP) inputs 51, an analog-digitalconversion circuitry 53 and a DSP filter 55 (one conventional processoris available from TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, INC., located in Dallas, Tex.,United States of America, namely, Model No. MSP430P325).

[0043] Exemplary indicating means 41, in response to direction fromprocessor 47, is operable to accomplish at least one of the following:initiate an alarm event; communicate such state, or tolerance, indiciato a monitoring controller; generate statistics; etc. Indicating means41 may take any number of forms, however, for use in system 11 of thepresent embodiment, stage 41 is an RF transmitter including RF modulator61 enabled by processor 47. Exemplary data is presented and modulated atmodulator 61, amplified at amplifier 63 and transmitted at antenna 65(to a remote receiver unit as discussed hereinafter).

[0044] According to the present embodiment, power for the variouscomponents of system 11 is provided by power supply 67, whichillustratively is a 3.6 volt lithium ion battery. Low power managementmay suitably be under the control of processor 47 utilizing exemplaryswitched/power supply voltage FET switch 68 at sensor 25, which providespower only during sampling cycles, and operates to shut components downduring non-use cycles. For instance, processor 47 may be taken off-linewhen processing is complete, reducing current drain.

[0045] It should be noted that the various circuitry discussedheretofore has been introduced herein for illustrative purposes only.System 11 may be implemented using any suitably arranged computer orother processing system including micro, personal, mini, mainframe orsuper computers, as well as network combinations of two or more of thesame. In point of fact, in one advantageous embodiment, sensor 25 andprocessor 47 are not co-located, but rather associated wirelessly. Tothat end, the principles of the present invention may be implemented inany appropriately arranged device having processing circuitry.Processing circuitry may include one or more conventional processors,programmable logic devices, such as programmable array logic (“PALs”)and programmable logic arrays (“PLAs”), digital signal processors(“DSPs”), field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”), application specificintegrated circuits (“ASICs”), large scale integrated circuits (“LSIs”),very large scale integrated circuits (“VLSIs”) or the like, to form thevarious types of circuitry, processors, controllers or systems describedand claimed herein.

[0046] Conventional computer system architecture is more fully discussedin THE INDISPENSABLE PC HARDWARE BOOK, by Hans-Peter Messmer, AddisonWesley (2nd ed. 1995) and COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND ARCHITECTURE, byWilliam Stallings, MacMillan Publishing Co. (3rd ed. 1993); conventionalcomputer, or communications, network design is more fully discussed inDATA NETWORK DESIGN, by Darren L. Spohn, McGraw-Hill, Inc. (1993);conventional data communications is more fully discussed in VOICE ANDDATA COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK, by Bud Bates and Donald Gregory,McGraw-Hill, Inc. (1996), DATA COMMUNICATIONS PRINCIPLES, by R. D.Gitlin, J. F. Hayes and S. B. Weinstein, Plenum Press (1992) and THEIRWIN HANDBOOK OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS, by James Harry Green, IrwinProfessional Publishing (2nd ed. 1992); and conventional circuit designis more fully discussed in THE ART OF ELECTRONICS, by Paul Horowitz andWinfield, Cambridge University Press (2nd ed. 1991). Each of theforegoing publications is incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes.

[0047] Turning next to FIGS. 3a to 3 d, illustrated are exemplary stripchart records of output of exemplary sensor 25 of FIGS. 1 and 2 takenduring illustrative situations. More particularly, FIGS. 3a and 3 billustrate the analog signal at the x and y outputs of sensor 25 duringa fall by a body to the left, and whereas FIGS. 3c and 3 d illustratethe analog signal at the x and y outputs of sensor 25 during a fall by abody to the right (the dark blocks indicating an alarm condition). Ascan be seen from the exemplary traces, a fall to the left and to theright are both distinguishable by the disruption of a stable position,or normal body movement, by a concussive force followed by a distinctlydifferent ending stable position. According to the illustrativeembodiment introduced herein, the direction of fall is clear from theposition of the ending trace at the y outputs. If the fall had been moreforward or backward, the x output traces would likewise clearly indicatethe same (this assumes x and y sensor axes orientation as set forth inFIG. 1). Of course, the same x and y outputs of the sensor 25 may besuitably processed to simply determine position of the body, forinstance, such as when a person is lying down, when a box has tippedover, etc.

[0048] Turning next to FIG. 4, illustrated is operational flow diagramof an exemplary method (generally designated 400) of programming ofprocessor 47 in accordance with a fall detection application of theprinciples of the present invention. For the purposes of illustration,concurrent reference is made to system 11 of FIGS. 1 and 2. It should benoted that this illustration introduces an exemplary operational methodfor programming processor 47 for its use as a fall detector, and thatsuitable alternate embodiments of system 11 for evaluating movement of abody relative to different environments may likewise be implemented inaccordance with the principles hereof, such as for relative position,other assistance monitoring, transparent monitoring, tactical maneuvermonitoring etc.

[0049] Exemplary method 400 begins and a request for samplingmeasurements is generated, likely by processor 47 (Step 405), either inresponse to an executing operations program or upon initiation by auser, possibly remotely from a monitoring controller (discussed withreference to FIG. 8). Sensor 25 sense x and y acceleration valuesgenerating measurement signals at the outputs at sensor 25.

[0050] In the present implementation, the measurement signals areconverted from analog to digital format and filtered by filter 55 (Step410; thereby reducing probability that an out-of-tolerance abnormalmovement will be determined incorrectly in response to a single sharpimpact such as a collision between mount 17 and a hard surface whensensor 25 is off the body causing a sharp signal spike).

[0051] Processor 47 uses dc voltage components of the outputs fromsensor 25 to determine a last stable position of the body on whichsensor 25 is mounted (Step 415). More particularly, processor 47repeatedly compares successive input values with immediately precedinginput values and, if within tolerance, are added thereto and stored inan accumulator. This is repeated until Z samples have been accumulatedand added over some defined period of time (e.g., one second) or until areceived input is out of tolerance, in which case the sampling cycle isreinitiated. When Z samples are accumulated and added, the accumulatedvalue is divided by Z to determine a “last stable” static accelerationaverage value, which is saved and is indicative of the last stableposition of the body. Sampling and/or sampling cycle rates may bevaried, but, while preferably not continuous due to power consumptionconcerns, should be substantially continual. It is important to note,therefore, that such characteristics maybe statically maintained ordynamically generated.

[0052] Processor 47 uses ac voltage components of each output fromsensor 25 to check against a G force threshold value set at DIP switch51 to see if it exceeds the threshold (Step 420; thus qualifying as apotential fall impact, in the current example, possibly an intensity inexcess of about 2 to 4 G depending upon desired sensitivity). Accordingto the present implementation, if three of these dynamic accelerationmeasurements are received in excess of the threshold without fiveintervening measurements that are less than the threshold, the impactdetect flag may be set.

[0053] Processor 47 determines a fall by testing a post-impact stream ofsamples against a tolerance (Step 425; for instance, a selected value ofthe ac voltage components, for example a value less than about 2 G).Each new sample is tested against the previous sample to see if theposition of the body has stabilized. When the position has stabilized toless than the tolerance, W samples are averaged to get the new stablestatic acceleration average value corresponding to the new stableposition.

[0054] Processor 47, in response to the value corresponding to the newstable position is shifted indicating a change of body position of 45°or more from the last stable position, classifies the event as adebilitating fall and alert stage 41 is activated (Step 430). A greaterstabilization or post-stabilization sample period may be selected toallow more time for an uninjured user to rise without issuance of analert.

[0055] Processor 47, after setting the last stable position, adds theabsolute values of the x and y last stable positions together, and, thendetermines whether the body associated with sensor 25 is lying down ifthe added value exceeds a value corresponding to 90° plus or minus 25%(Step 435). In such case, after a selected time (for example, fourseconds) with repeated like values, the laying down detect flag is set.While this flag is set, any impact that exceeds the G force threshold istreated as a debilitating fall (Step 440). The flag is set only as longas the added value continues to indicate that the wearer is laying down.

[0056] It should be noted that the foregoing embodiment was introducedfor illustrative purposes only and that the present invention broadlyintroduces systems, as well as methods of operating such systems, thatevaluate movement of a body relative to an environment, which in theabove-given example is an assistance monitoring environment. Animportant aspect of the present invention is that processor 47 isoperable to process sensed accelerative phenomena as a function of atleast one accelerative event characteristic, and that suchcharacteristics will largely be defined by the specific application.Therefore, system 11, and, more particularly, processor 47, generatesstate indicia relative the environment of interest, and determineswhether the evaluated body movement is within tolerance in the contextof that environment. For instance, “tolerance” would likely be verydifferent for a monitored body of an elderly person with a heartcondition, a toddler, a box in a freight car, a container of combustiblegas, etc.

[0057] Turning next to FIG. 5, illustrated is a functional block diagramof an alternate sensing system (generally designated 71) that maysuitably be associated with processor 47 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 inaccordance with the principles of the present invention. In thisembodiment, components utilizable with system 11 are configured again asa human fall monitor/detector, and any or all of these additionalmonitoring functions may be employed with system 11. For purposes ofillustration, concurrent reference is made to processor 47 of FIGS. 2and 4.

[0058] Exemplary sensor 71 includes a respiration module 73, whichincludes a body contact breath sensor 75 (for example a volumetricsensor, or a near body breath sensor), low pass filter 77 and amplifier79 providing output signals indicative of respiration rate and vitalityto processor 47. The outputs are processed and, when a dangerousrespiratory condition is suggested (generates state indicia relative theenvironment, and determines whether the evaluated body movement (broadlydefined herein to include organic physiologic phenomena) is withinenvironmental tolerance), an identifiable (for example, by signalcoding) alarm sent indicating means 41.

[0059] Sensor 71 further includes an ECG module 81, which includes inputelectrodes 83 and 85 providing heart rate signals to filters 87 and 89.The filtered signals are amplified at amplifier 91 and band passfiltered at filter 93. The output is amplified at 95 for input toprocessor 47 and processed so that dangerous heart rhythms and eventscan be detected (generates state indicia relative the environment, anddetermines whether the evaluated body movement is within environmentaltolerance) and an identifiable alarm sent at alert stage 41.

[0060] Sensor 71 further includes a panic button module 97 that isoperable using a standard user activated switch 99 positioned at housing17 allowing a user to initiate a call for help. The switch output isinput to processor 47 to initiate an identifiable alarm at alert stage41.

[0061] Turning momentarily to FIGS. 6 and 7, illustrated are aperspective view of an exemplary remote receiver unit of the system ofthis invention and a functional block diagram of the same. In adistributed system in accord with one embodiment of this invention, aremote receiver unit 103. (for example a wall mountable unit) as shownin FIGS. 6 and 7 is provided for receipt of transmissions from sensor 25and/or system 71. Unit 103 includes a receiver antenna 105, indicatorLED's 107 (including indicators for as many detector functions as areemployed in the specific embodiment of the apparatus being monitored, aswell as an indicator for unit on/off status), and a user interface inputkeypad 111 for unit setup, reset and alarm deactivation. Power access113 is provided at the bottom of the unit.

[0062] RF receiver 115 is tuned to receive alarm transmissions fromsensor 11/71 and-presents the signal received for processing atprocessor 117 for alarm identification and appropriate output. Processor117 also receives inputs from keypad 111 and power switch 119.Non-volatile memory 121 is provided for input of identification of theuser and/or of the apparatus being monitored. Audible alarm 123, LEDbank 107 and retransmission unit 125 (an autodialer, imbedded digitalcellular technology, RF transmitter, an Internet appliance, or the like)are connected to receive outputs from processor 117.

[0063] When a transmission is received, or when battery power at thebody mounted apparatus is low, an audible alarm is sounded and theappropriate LED (indicative of the condition causing the alarm, forexample a debilitating fall by a user of apparatus 11) is activated. Ifnot disabled by the user at key pad 111 within a short period, processor117 activates retransmission unit 125 initiating a call for help orother remote notification.

[0064] Operational setup of unit 103 is also accomplished underprogramming at processor 117 and by sequential operation by a user ortechnician of keypad 111 and/or power switch 119 as is known (includinguser ID set, learn mode operations, reset or reprogramming operations,and urgency code operations).

[0065] Turning next to FIG. 8, illustrated is an exemplary hybridwireless/wired network (generally designated 800) that is associatedwith a remote monitoring controller 805 according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. The wireless network 810 is introduced forillustrative purposes only, and comprises a plurality of cell sites 821to 823, each containing one of the base stations, BS 801, BS 802, or BS803. Base stations 801 to 803 are operable to communicate with aplurality of mobile stations (MS) including MS 103 (remote receiver unit103), and MS 811, MS 812 and MS 814. Mobile stations MS 103, and MS 811,MS 812 and MS 814, may be any suitable cellular devices, includingconventional cellular telephones, PCS handset devices, portablecomputers, metering devices, transceivers, and the like (including, forinstance, remote receiver unit 103).

[0066] Dotted lines show the approximate boundaries of the cell sites821 to 823 in which base stations 801 to 803 are located. The cell sitesare shown approximately circular for the purposes of illustration andexplanation only. It should be clearly understood that the cell sitesalso may have irregular shapes, depending on the cell configurationselected and natural and man-made obstructions.

[0067] In one embodiment of the present invention, BS 801, BS 802, andBS 803 may comprise a base station controller (BSC) and a basetransceiver station (BTS). Base station controllers and base transceiverstations are well known to those skilled in the art. A base stationcontroller is a device that manages wireless communications resources,including the base transceiver station, for specified cells within awireless communications network. A base transceiver station comprisesthe RF transceivers, antennas, and other electrical equipment located ineach cell site. This equipment may include air conditioning units,heating units, electrical supplies, telephone line interfaces, and RFtransmitters and RF receivers, as well as call processing circuitry. Forthe purpose of simplicity and clarity in explaining the operation of thepresent invention, the base transceiver station in each of cells 821,822, and 823 and the base station controller associated with each basetransceiver station are collectively represented by BS 801, BS 802 andBS 803, respectively.

[0068] BS 801, BS 802 and BS 803 transfer voice and data signals betweeneach other and the public telephone system (not shown) viacommunications line 831 and mobile switching center (MSC) 840. Mobileswitching center 840 is well known to those skilled in the art. Mobileswitching center 840 is a switching device that provides services andcoordination between the subscribers in a wireless network and externalnetworks 850, such as the Internet, public telephone system, etc.Communications line 831 may be any suitable connection means, includinga T1 line, a T3 line, a fiber optic link, a network backbone connection,and the like. In some embodiments of the present invention,communications line 831 may be several different data links, where eachdata link couples one of BS 801, BS 802, or BS 803 to MSC 840.

[0069] In the exemplary wireless network 800, MS 811 is located in cellsite 821 and is in communication with BS 801, MS 103 is located in cellsite 822 and is in communication with BS 802, and MS 814 is located incell site 823 and is in communication with BS 803. MS 812 is alsolocated in cell site 821, close to the edge of cell site 823. Thedirection arrow proximate MS 812 indicates the movement of MS 812towards cell site 823.

[0070] For the purposes of illustration, it is assumed that system 11 isassociated with an elderly person whose residence is wirelesslymonitored. It is further assumed that sensor 25 is associated with theelderly person and that processor 47 is coupled in MS/remote receiverunit 103, such that sensor 25 and processor 47 are wirelesslyassociated.

[0071] System 11 repeatedly senses various physiological phenomena ofthe elderly person, including accelerative phenomena of his body. Remoteprocessor 47 processes the repeatedly sensed phenomena, and,particularly, the accelerative phenomena of the body, as a function ofat least one accelerative event characteristic to thereby determinewhether the evaluated body movement is within environmental tolerance.Processor 47 advantageously generates state indicia while processing thesensed accelerative phenomena, representing the state of the body withinthe environment over time.

[0072] Exemplary processor 47 is programmed to distinguish betweennormal and abnormal accelerative events (e.g., walking, sitting, lyingdown, etc. versus tripping, falling down, etc.), and, when an abnormalevent is identified, indicates whether the abnormal event is tolerable,or within tolerance. Processor 47 may also suitably be programmed todistinguish other physical characteristics, including temperature,pressure, force, sound, light, relative position (including lying down),and the like.

[0073] As processor 47 generates state indicia, which includes toleranceindicia, it uses the same to determine whether the evaluated bodymovement is within environmental tolerance. Preferably, such toleranceindicia is compared with at least one threshold, likely associated withthe accelerative event characteristic. In response to such comparison,processor 47 controls a suitable indicating means to initiate an alarmevent (locally and via network 810 to monitoring controller 805), tocommunicate such tolerance indicia to a monitoring controller 805, togenerate statistics (locally and via network 810 to monitoringcontroller 805), or the like.

[0074] According to a related preferred embodiment, such state indicia,and other information is communicated from time to time to monitoringcontroller 805, from which such information may suitably be perceived.For instance, a technician, medical professional, or relative might wishto review the activities and status of the elderly person. This mayeasily be facilitated via a centralized data repository accessible viathe Internet, or via any other suitably arranged network. While viewingsuch information, the technician, medical professional, or relative(subscriber 2, generally designated 855) might initiate a diagnosticequipment check, a physiological test, a simple status check, or thelike. Similarly, monitoring controller 805, via the network 800, maymonitor a “heartbeat” signal generated periodically by MS/remotereceiver unit 103, the heartbeat indicating that unit 103 is functional.

[0075]FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating how the circuitry of thepresent invention may utilized within an exemplary communicationsdevice. The exemplary communications device shown is wireless mobilestation/remote receiver unit 103. The MS designation has been droppedfor convenience. Remote receiver unit 103 comprises radio frequency (RF)transceiver 910 coupled to antenna 905 for receiving a forward channelsignal from wireless network base station BS 802 and for sending areverse channel signal to wireless network base station BS 802 inaccordance with well known principles.

[0076] RF transceiver 910 is coupled to receiving processing circuitry925 which, in turn, is coupled to speaker 930 and main controller 940.Main controller 940 is coupled to transmission processing circuitry 915which, in turn, is coupled to microphone 920 and RF transceiver 910.Main controller 940 controls the reception of forward channel signalsand the transmission of reverse channel signals in accordance with wellknown principles. Main controller 940 is also coupled to I/O interface935, keypad 950 and display unit 955. Main controller 940 controls thetransmission of signals to and from these elements with methods wellknown in the art.

[0077] Sensor 25 is coupled to main controller 940. Processing circuitry39 comprising processor 47 (not shown in FIG. 9) is also coupled to maincontroller 940. The x output signal of sensor 25 and the y output signalof sensor 25 are coupled to processing circuitry 39 as previouslydescribed in this embodiment of the present invention, the structure ofindicating means 41 (not shown in FIG. 9) comprises transmit processingcircuitry 915, RF transceiver 950 and antenna 905.

[0078] When sensor 25 detects a body movement that signifies theoccurrence of a potentially dangerous event (e.g., a fall), processingcircuitry 39 immediately causes main controller 940 to send an alarm viatransmit processing circuitry 915, RF transceiver 950 and antenna 905.The alarm signal may also include detailed information concerning thevalues of the measured x and y signals.

[0079] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, processingcircuitry 39 comprising processor 47 (not shown in FIG. 9) is capable ofrecording the values of the measured x and y signals and recording thetimes of the measurements using time signals from clock 49 (not shown inFIG. 9). In some cases it will be more practical to record the values ofthe x and y signals for later downloading that to immediately transmitan alarm signal and the values of the x and y signals. For example, whena shipping container is allowed to tip over or is otherwise mishandledduring shipment, it may not be practical to immediately respond to themishandling event. At the conclusion of the shipment, however, the timethat the mishandling event occurred may be recovered from processingcircuitry 39. The time of the mishandling event may then be compared tothe shipping schedule to determine the identity of the individualcarrier responsible for the mishandling event.

[0080] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, sensor 25may comprise tilt switch sensors of the type described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/542,197 filed Apr. 4, 2000 by Halleck et al.entitled “Apparatus and Method for Detecting An Inclination of A Body.”

[0081] Although the present invention has been described in detail,those skilled in the art should understand that they can make variouschanges, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system within a communications device capableof evaluating movement of a body relative to an environment, said systemcomprising: a sensor, associable with said body, that sensesaccelerative phenomena of said body; and a processor, associated withsaid sensor, that processes said sensed accelerative phenomena as afunction of at least one accelerative event characteristic to therebydetermine whether said evaluated body movement is within environmentaltolerance.
 2. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least oneaccelerative event characteristic is one of statically maintained anddynamically generated.
 3. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein saidat least one accelerative event characteristic is representativemathematically of at least part of said environment.
 4. The system setforth in claim 1 wherein said processor generates tolerance indicia inresponse to said determination.
 5. The system set forth in claim 4wherein said processor controls indicating means in response to saidgenerated tolerance indicia.
 6. The system set forth in claim 4 whereinsaid processor communicates said tolerance indicia to a monitoringcontroller.
 7. The system set forth in claim 6 wherein said processorcommunicates said tolerance indicia to said monitoring controller usingat least one of a wired network and a wireless network.
 8. The systemset forth in claim 7 wherein said processor communicates said toleranceindicia to said monitoring controller using said Internet.
 9. The systemset forth in claim 6 wherein said monitoring controller generatesstatistics.
 10. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said processordetermines whether said evaluated body movement is within tolerance bydistinguishing between selected accelerative events and non-selectedaccelerative events.
 11. The system set forth in claim 1 furthercomprising a mount that associates said sensor with said body.
 12. Thesystem set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor is a plural-axis sensor.13. The system set forth in claim 12 wherein said plural-axis sensor isassociable with said body so that said sensor axes maintain a horizontalattitude.
 14. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said processorgenerates heartbeat indicia.
 15. The system set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid sensor and said processor are associated wirelessly.
 16. The systemset forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor is a single monolithic ICincluding a resiliently mounted sensor layer oriented in x and y axes.17. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor is anaccelerometer.
 18. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein saidprocessor is associable with a power supply.
 19. The system set forth inclaim 18 wherein said processor is operable to manage power supplyconsumption.
 20. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said processordetermines whether said evaluated body movement is within environmentaltolerance independent of a starting attitude of said sensor.
 21. Amethod of operating a system within a communications device to evaluatemovement of a body relative an environment wherein a sensor isassociated with said body, said method of operation comprising the stepof processing, with a processor, repeatedly sensed accelerativephenomena of said body as a function of at least one accelerative eventcharacteristic to thereby determine whether said evaluated body movementis within environmental tolerance.
 22. The method of operation set forthin claim 21 further comprises the step of using said processor to atleast one of: (a) maintain statically said at least one accelerativeevent characteristic and generating dynamically said at least oneaccelerative event characteristic; (b) determine whether said evaluatedbody movement is within tolerance by distinguishing between selectedaccelerative events and non-selected accelerative events; (c) generateheartbeat indicia; (d) manage power supply consumption.
 23. The methodof operation set forth in claim 21 further comprises the step of usingsaid processor to generate tolerance indicia in response to saiddetermination.
 24. The method of operation set forth in claim 23 furthercomprises the step of using said processor to at least one of: (a)control indicating means in response to said generated toleranceindicia; (b) communicate said tolerance indicia to a monitoringcontroller using at least one of a wired network and a wireless network.25. A method of operating a system within a communications device todistinguish accelerative phenomena of a body comprising the steps of:substantially continually measuring dynamic and static acceleration ofthe body in plural axes at a sensor maintained on the body and providingoutput signals indicative thereof; and processing said output signals todistinguish between normal accelerative events and abnormal accelerativeevents based upon both said dynamic and said static acceleration of thebody.
 26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of settinga dynamic acceleration threshold and wherein said step of processingsaid output signals includes distinguishing dynamic acceleration of thebody exceeding said threshold.
 27. The method of claim 26 wherein saidthreshold is a dynamic acceleration intensity value.
 28. The method ofclaim 25 wherein the step of processing said output signals includesdetermining a last stable static acceleration value corresponding to alast stable position of the body and comparing a later stable staticacceleration value corresponding to a later stable position of the bodyto said last stable value.
 29. The method of claim 25 further comprisingthe step of issuing an alert signal when a selected accelerative eventis distinguished.
 30. The method of claim 29 including the step offiltering said output signals to significantly reduce the probability ofan alert signal due to single sharp impacts unrelated to said selectedaccelerative events.
 31. The method of claim 25 further comprising thestep of processing said output signals indicative of static accelerationof the body to determine when the body has laid down and thereafterprocessing said output signals indicative of dynamic acceleration todistinguish between selected accelerative events and non-selectedaccelerative events.
 32. The method of claim 25 further comprising thestep of setting a dynamic acceleration threshold and wherein said stepof processing said output signals includes determining a last stablestatic acceleration value corresponding to a last stable position of thebody, distinguishing dynamic acceleration of the body exceeding saidthreshold, and comparing to said last stable value a later stable staticacceleration value corresponding to a later stable position of the bodydetermined after a dynamic acceleration of the body in excess of saidthreshold is distinguished.